Positive Images: Young People Now campaign wins backing from ministers

The Positive Images campaign was launched at Westminster on Tuesday.

It aims to encourage the media to report on young people in a balanced way. It is also asking youth workers and young people to be more proactive in promoting positive stories.

As part of the campaign, Young People Now has created a draft media code that will be sent out for consultation with journalists, young people and youth groups (see p16).

Chris Stanley, head of youth crime at crime-reduction charity Nacro, said: "Sensationalist reporting provides the public with a distorted view of youth crime and influences policymakers to respond with a tough line. Irresponsible reporting, such as naming and shaming, not only projects an unrealistic perception and fear of crime, but puts children at risk of vigilante action in their communities."